Dec 2, 2023 at 8:50 AM Update: 43 minutes ago
Lionel Messi is not thinking about quitting the Argentina team for the time being. The 36-year-old top player wants to continue as long as he feels good. However, he does take into account that the 2026 World Cup will come too late for him.
“As long as I feel good and can continue to perform, I will continue,” Messi said ESPN. “It looked like I would retire after winning the World Cup in Qatar (in 2022, ed.), but now I want nothing more than to be with the team. We are going through a special phase, I want to enjoy it to the fullest. .”
Messi therefore mainly wants to focus on the near future. In the case of Argentina, this is the Copa América, the tournament scheduled for next summer. “That’s the only thing I’m thinking about now,” says the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who also discusses a possible participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina is in a good position in qualifying for the global final tournament, but Messi does not know whether he will still be there in 2026. “Time will tell. I am at an age (39 years, ed.) that normally does not allow me to play in the World Cup. We will see. The world title has given me peace of mind, because I know that I have achieved everything.”
Messi has played 180 times for Argentina so far, scoring 106 times. The World Cup victory in Qatar last year was his greatest success with the ‘Albicelestes’. With seven goals, including two in the final against France (win on penalties), the attacker played an important role in the Argentinians’ first world title since 1986.
In 2021 he also won the Copa América with his country, meaning the Argentinians will defend their title next summer. The tournament will be held in June and July in the US, where Messi currently plays for Inter Miami. The American competition ended in October and will not resume until March.
2023-12-02 08:56:20
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